The Grammys kept falling in love with New Yorker Alicia Keys last night, showering her with five top prizes at the Los Angeles awards bash, including the coveted Best New Artist and Song of the Year.

The 21-year-old piano protégé from Hell’s Kitchen tied the record for most awards for a female artist for her neo-soul album, “Songs in A Minor,” and hit tune “Fallin’.”

“I’d like to dedicate this to just thinking outside the box and not being afraid of who you are no matter what you do,” Keys said.

Keys’ tally matched Lauryn Hill’s five honors in 1998.

Eight-time nominees U2 went into the night heavily favored to walk off with most of the top prizes, but settled for four trophies – including the all-important Record of the Year – after kicking off the night with a thumping rendition of their hit “Walk On.”

Last year, the Irish rockers won Record of the Year for “Beautiful Day.”

One of last night’s biggest surprises was the shutout of young neo-soul sensation India.Arie, who was nominated for seven awards, but took home none.

A collection of movie-inspired country musicians rocked the event by stealing the Album of the Year award for the “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” soundtrack.

The top-selling album carried an astonishing five categories and brought a big smile to record producer T-Bone Burnett.

“Everybody thought I was insane,” Burnett said.

Even as the Grammy voters swerved into unusual territory, the presenters made their own odd choices when it came to clothes – always a top category for Grammy watchers.

Britney Spears, who has made headlines for years with skimpy, belly-baring outfits, raised eyebrows last night just by wearing a full set of clothes.

Spears, a presenter, stepped onstage in a form-fitting full-length gown, while schlumpy host Jon Stewart bared only love handles, starting the show in his underwear.

Stewart spoofed super-tight security at the event in a skit where two guards ripped off all his clothes, leaving him standing nearly naked onstage in a pair of boxer shorts to begin emceeing the event.

“Remember when security was tight because Eminem was going to sing with Elton John?” Stewart joked. “Those were the days, right?”

U2 went light on the politics for a change, with none of Bono’s usual sermons.

“I just want to apologize for last year’s Grammys speech,” joked guitarist Edge. “I went on quite a bit.”

The shining stars of the music industry also got a glimpse of Olympic gold when Long Island’s favorite figure skater, Sarah Hughes, stepped onstage early in the evening.

And the broadcast had plenty of Big Apple flavor, including a jazzy duet by Tony Bennett and Billy Joel, singing “New York State of Mind.”